An encounter with Cortona is an encounter with art, with history and with spirituality. Getting to know this timeless city is a real rediscovery of our past. Cortona offers testimony to its history as well as an enchanting view of the landscape enclosed by Lake Trasimeno and the Appenines.

Every year, extremely characteristic historical re-enactments are organized in Cortona, attracting a large number of visitors.

Undoubtedly, one of the most important events organized by the Municipality of Cortona is the so-called "Giostra dell'Archidado" (Archidado Joust), held between May and June with re-enactments of medieval historical events, flag flyers, medieval comedies, and crossbow competitions.

Another very popular event is the "Palio dei Rioni e delle Frazioni", a horserace involving teams from the town districts and nearby hamlets held in September, commemorating the medieval period with games and tournaments.

Finally, the famous "Sagra della bistecca", or Steak Fair, a market fair taking place in August to promote typical agricultural products from Cortona and Arezzo.

All the historical re-enactments held in Cortona are linked to the medieval period and take place between June and September.

Cortona

MAEC - Museum of the Etruscan Academy The Etruscan Academy Museum of the City of Cortona is an absolute must-see for all those wishing to know Cortona better. This museum gathers into a single entity the historic Etruscan Academy Museum and the Museum of the Etruscan and Roman City of Cortona.   The museum is housed within Palazzo Casali, one of the city's oldest and most notable buildings where an exhibiting space of over 6500 square feet accommodates some of the most extraordinary masterpieces produced by the Etruscan civilisation. Visit: Museum of the Etruscan Academy

ARCHIDADO JOUST Every year, a procession of 300 people wearing wonderful medieval costumes as well as many riders on their horses parade through Cortona's historic center. This historical event reenacts the wedding of Francesco Casali, lord of Cortona, to Antonia Salimbeni from Siena, which took place in 1397; in honor of the couple, the crossbowmen of the town's 5 'quintieri' or districts compete in a shooting competition, aiming at a target called 'quintiere'. The winner is given the first prize, the so-called Verretta d'Oro, by Antonia Salimbeni. The event includes stalls selling medieval food, medieval dinners, and entertainment typical of the medieval time. Go to the section dedicated to the Archidado Joust

STEAK FAIR The Florentine-style Steak Fair in Cortona is a very much appreciated and longed-for summer event. It is a huge open-air barbecue during which Florentine-style steaks (of Chianina meat), sausages, and chops are grilled on a 14-meter-long gridiron. The steaks are incredibly thick and are served very rare, according to the Tuscan tradition. At the Steak Fair, visitors can also sample local cheeses (such as 'Pecorino di Pienza', an exquisite sheep's cheese) and the excellent Chianti wine, which complements the Chianina meat extremely well. Go to the section dedicated to the Steak Fair

SIGNORELLI e il BEATO ANGELICO The halls of the Diocesan Museum, in the Piazza Duomo of Cortona, host an important collection of paintings by Luca Signorelli (1455-1523), among which the most famous are the Deposition (1517) and Communion of the Apostles (1512).   The hall that once was the Baptistery of 'Chiesa del Gesù' is now the home of two canvases by Beato Angelico: the Annunciation and a Madonna with Child and Four Saints, both painted for the church 'Chiesa di San Domenico'. Visit the Museo Diocesiano of Cortona